Evidence leaders oppose Carrim's request to testify in-camera at Madlanga Commission

Evidence leaders at the Madlanga Commission are opposing the application by controversial businessman and ANC backer Suleiman Carrim to testify behind closed doors.

Carrim on Friday filed an in-camera application saying he's received death threats and that having his testimony in open session could potentially pose a danger to his life, his family and business interests.

However, evidence leader Adila Hassim said she doesn’t believe testifying in private will decrease the threat level against the businessman.

Hassim said it's already public knowledge that Carrim is due to testify at the commission next Monday and Tuesday.

“Secrecy can actually amplify a witness’ vulnerability by signalling the witness is exceptional or hidden, and it may just fuel speculation and targeting rather than quell speculation and threats.”

Hassim said the commission has made provision for eight witnesses to testify partially in-camera.

However, she said those witnesses were not public figures, unlike Carrim, who is already well known.

Hassim said she has gone through Carrim’s witness statement he submitted to the commission

“And nothing in that statement appears to place that witness at risk through exposure to third parties or any wrongdoing. The contents of the statement do not disclose any information that was not already disclosed in a public setting before the high court last month. Carrim challenged his subpoena to appear before the Madlanga Commission at the Johannesburg High Court and lost. So there really will be no practical purpose served by an in-camera hearing.”

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